News

2024-08-13

Paro FC secured comeback win over Church Boys

Bhutan’s Paro FC came back from a goal down to seal a 2-1 win over Church Boys United of Nepal in the AFC Challenge League™ Preliminary Stage 1 tie on Tuesday.

Paro’s Kinga Wangchuk cancelled Laken Limbu’s opener before William Opoku struck the winner in the 66th minute to send the Bhutanese side through to the group stage.

It was a scrappy start to the contest with both sides jostling for possession with the visitors threatening first with Kaneshiro Motohiro almost finding a way through in the fifth minute but his low drive on the turn from inside the box was easily thwarted by Church Boys goalkeeper Deep Karki.

The Bhutanese side came close again two minutes later when Kinga Wangchuk floated his effort over the bar from just inside the area after a good team build-up before Opoku’s was denied by the bar from a similar position in the ninth minute.

Church Boys came close moments later with a chance of their own when a swift counter-attacking move saw the visitors stretched with Moses Twum pairing nicely with Arik Bista, who pulled his effort wide from inside the six-yard-box.

Paro pressed their opponents further and almost found a way through in the 17th minute, only for Karki to foil their effort when he palmed away Motohiro’s hurried attempt from inside the box while Opoku's mistimed effort let Church Boys off the hook.

Former Japan great Keisuke Honda had the perfect opportunity to put Paro ahead at the half hour mark but struck the left post from a free-kick.

The home side caught Paro off-guard in the 38th minute when Bista’s cross from the left flank was nodded down by Twum onto the path of Limbu for a simple finish from close range.

Paro, however, drew level a minute later when Honda found Wangchuk lurking inside the six-yard-box with the forward striking home an angled finish.

Both sides threatened in the opening minutes of the second half but neither was able to find the target with Twum missing with his effort from inside the box, while Motohiro skied his attempt above the bar.

Paro’s dominance finally came to fruition when they took the lead in the 66th minute after a lapse in concentration by Church Boys’ Kareem Omolaja allowed Opoku to pounce on the loose ball before slotting home past Karki to seal their place in the tournament proper.

- AFC

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2024-08-12

ANFA Women's Referee Course concludes

The seven-day ANFA Women's Referee Course 2024 has concluded in ANFA Complex.

The course had begun from August 6 and the closing ceremony was organized at ANFA Complex on Monday.

Twenty-six participants had taken part in the course. Ten participants passed the course.

ANFA General Secretary Kiran Rai handed over certificates to the participants in the closing ceremony.

Passed participants: Reshma Chaudhary, Mamata Limbu, Roshmi Helmu, Sangita Sunuwar, Unisha Shrestha, Rodina Rai, Deepa Neupane, Sanju Maya Tamang, Bhawana Rai, Mamata Rana Magar

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2024-08-12

Church Boys await Paro's challenge in Preliminary Stage

League Champions Church Boys United will play Bhutan's Paro FC in the AFC Challenge League Preliminary Stage at Dasharath Stadium on Tuesday.

In the lead-up to their AFC Challenge League Preliminary Stage clash, coaches and captain address the media brimming with confidence of a positive result from the match. The match is set for Tuesday at Dasharath Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 6 pm.

Paro FC's head coach, Pushpa Lal Sharma, highlighted the challenges his team has faced since arrival but emphasized their readiness for the game. "We had faced challenges since arrival but we take challenges positively. We have good players who can make a good impact on the match," Sharma stated.

He acknowledged the strength of Church Boys United, describing them as nearly equivalent to Nepal's national team, and assured that his team is well-prepared and motivated despite the tough competition.

Paro's captain, Kinley Wanchuk, shared a similar sentiment, looking forward to a better outcome compared to their previous visit, where they suffered a 3-2 loss to Machhindra Football Club in the AFC Cup Preliminary Round 1 last year. "Our preparations are good and we hope for a different result from the last time we were here," Wanchuk said.

Church Boys United's head coach, Bal Gopal Maharjan, expressed satisfaction with his team's balance and preparations, despite the limited time for preparations. "We have played a few friendlies and are happy with the result. We can exploit our opponent if every player plays up to their potential," Maharjan remarked.

He voiced concerns about the rule allowing signing of unlimited foreign players for the competition. Maharjan remains hopeful that his foreign players will be effective in their return to the national stadium.

Church Boys' captain, Ananta Tamang, downplayed any potential issues with the pitch at Dasharath Stadium. "We have a good experience playing at the Stadium. We have a plan and a really gelled team with players who have played together for a long time," Tamang said.

He also addressed the challenge posed by Paro FC's high-profile signing, former Japan international Keisuke Honda, asserting that his team has adjusted well and is not feeling pressured by the presence of big-name players.

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2024-08-11

Koshi Province face Waling Municipality in ANFA Women's League opener

The fixtures of the ANFA Women's League have been released.

The fixtures of the first round of the League were released amid a special programme at ANFA Complex in Satdobato on Sunday.

Koshi Province will face Waling Municipality, Syangja in the opening match of the League.

The League begins from September 1 (Bhadra 16) at Dasharath Stadium.

A total of 10 teams--APF Football Club, Tribhuvan Army Club, Nepal Police Club, Chandrapur Municipality, Waling Municipality, Koshi Province, Sudurpaschim Province, Karnali Province, Sankata FC and Bagmati Youth Club--will take part in the competition.

Koshi Province, Sudurpaschim Province and Karnali Province topped the Qualifiers held in Surkhet from April 19 to May 2, 2024 (Baisakh 7-20, 2081) to qualify for the League. 

The team clubs will take part in a single round robin format playing a total of 45 matches in the first round. Following a break, the top five teams from the first round will take part in the double round robin format in the Super League. The top four teams from the Super League will then take part in the Qualifiers, Eliminator and the Finals of the competition.

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